Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico — With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, our sights are officially set on the winter holidays. What better place to be with family and loved ones than under the warm Mexico sun on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta? Costa Sur Resort & Spa, one of the most beloved hotels on the Bay of Banderas, is inviting all families to celebrate the holidays with them at the beautiful beachfront property with a 69% discount when booking on its website: costasurpuertovallarta.com.

Set on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Banderas, Costa Sur Resort & Spa has one of the most enviable addresses in Puerto Vallarta. For 30 years, the resort has offered the best of both worlds: surrounded by nature, with a stretch of semi-private beach, and just a quick 10-minute trip to the heart of the energetic Zona Romantica. It’s also a Gay Travel Approved hotel, ensuring each and every family feels welcome and at home.

The resort exudes a Mexican feel, with spacious rooms and suites with views overlooking the Bay of Banderas. To the left is the beautiful Los Arcos rock formation — a world-class diving site and a protected area for native bird species. On a clear day, guests can see across the bay to Punta Mita. Surrounded by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, Costa Sur is within easy reach of wildlife viewing, waterfall hikes, beach, and more.

Just 10 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta, Costa Sur Resort & Spa makes a perfect home base from which to enjoy the festive season. Puerto Vallarta is one of the favorite beach destinations in Mexico thanks to its perfect winter weather with an average of 86 degrees. Families wanting to spend a tropical holiday season in Puerto Vallarta will not be disappointed.

Puerto Vallarta is known for its great variety of water and ecotourism activities, from swimming, zip lining, luxury sailing, or ATVing through the jungle. Winter in Puerto Vallarta also means the humpback whales have arrived, and Costa Sur Resort & Spa offers the perfect oceanfront perch from which to spot whales.

As for the holidays themselves, Mexico is a country that loves to celebrate. Puerto Vallarta kicks off the holiday season with the Festival of Guadalupe, a 12-day festival that celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. The event begins December 1 and runs through December 12. During this time, the Zona Romantica and Centro come alive with pilgrims making their way to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which overlooks the Malecon. The procession includes gorgeously decorated floats, dance performances, and open-air markets selling candy, souvenirs, and crafts.

Beginning December 16, Puerto Vallarta holds Posadas celebrations. The nine nights of posadas are said to represent the nine-day journey of Mary and Joseph. Posadas typically include a fruit punch beverage and festivities with piñatas.

On Christmas Eve, churches across Puerto Vallarta hold masses in both English and Spanish, along with a repertoire of Christmas carols.

Throughout the entire season, the iconic Malecon is decked out with festive decorations, including a giant Christmas tree festooned with ornaments and twinkling lights.

New Year’s Eve in Puerto Vallarta is also quite the event, particularly for LGBTQ travelers. The Zona Romantica practically explodes with daytime pool parties and themed events in the evening all leading up to December 31. Travelers who prefer to stay in a quiet, tranquil environment, while still having easy access to all the energy and entertainment of downtown cannot do better than Costa Sur Resort & Spa.

About Costa Sur Resort & Spa

Costa Sur Resort & Spa features 202 guest rooms and suites. A full-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu that highlights Mexican dishes as well as international cuisine. The intimate spa offers three cabins and a menu that includes massages, facials, body wraps, manicure, and pedicure services. For any additional activities, a concierge is on hand to help curate excursions for zip lining, scuba diving, repelling, food tours, golf excursions, and nature adventures.